Chapter 72: Stormblood Discipline

The sky above Tokyo darkened with distant thunderclouds, but it didn't stop Riku.

"Again!" he shouted.

Renji, Takumi, and Reina were drenched in sweat, their clothes stained with dust and Essence residue. Each of them stood in a circle, panting, bruised, and trembling—but not backing down.

Riku had upped the intensity today. He wasn't just training them anymore—he was forging something new. They weren't rookies trying to survive anymore. They were warriors in the making.

Renji charged forward again, his gauntlets flaring with a crimson aura as he tried to land a blow on Riku. Riku sidestepped effortlessly and tapped his shoulder with just enough force to send him tumbling into the grass.

"Too predictable," Riku said, his voice calm but firm. "Your strikes are powerful, but your form breaks the second you get emotional."

Renji groaned and pushed himself up. "I'm trying! It's just—your movement, it's like you're not even human sometimes."

"That's not an excuse," Riku said simply. "You want to be A-Rank? Then move like someone who survives real combat."

Renji nodded, wiping his face with his sleeve.

Next was Takumi.

The hot-headed Essence user stepped forward, his fists wrapped in flame as he launched a series of rapid punches. Riku parried each one with sharp, precise movements, then slipped past him and tapped his back.

"Still relying on speed and raw power. You've got talent, Takumi. But without discipline, you'll burn out before the real fight even begins."

Takumi grit his teeth. "I'll get it. I swear I will."

Riku turned to Reina.

She stood at the edge of the field, hands outstretched, manipulating currents of wind into sharp, controlled gusts. Riku didn't approach her with force—he gave her a single nod.

"Precision," he said. "You're learning restraint. That's good."

Reina flushed slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, but didn't let her concentration waver.

"Let's run it again," Riku said. "But this time—switch targets. You three spar with each other. I want to see you apply what you've learned."

For the next two hours, Riku watched silently as the trio sparred with each other, correcting mistakes, pushing limits. He shouted advice now and then, but mostly let them stumble and rise on their own.

A flash of lightning illuminated the sky. A drizzle began to fall.

"Keep going!" Riku called.

Even in the rain, they moved with focus. Renji blocked Reina's wind arc, only to be caught off guard by Takumi's sweeping fire strike. Reina adjusted her tactics mid-battle, watching the others' weaknesses and adapting.

Riku watched with folded arms.

"They're getting it," he muttered under his breath, a small smile forming. "Good."

Eventually, the downpour became too strong to continue. Riku raised a hand. "That's enough for today."

The three collapsed onto the soaked grass, gasping for breath but grinning.

"You're tougher than most instructors," Takumi muttered.

"You're lucky," Riku replied. "I haven't used Divine Avatar on any of you yet."

They all groaned.

Reina sat up slowly, brushing damp strands from her face. "Are we… at least closer to A-Rank now?"

Riku looked at her for a long moment, then nodded. "Closer than you were yesterday."

They didn't need flashy words or dramatic praise. That single sentence meant more to them than a medal.

As they walked off the field together, soaked, tired, and smiling through bruises, Riku stayed behind a moment, glancing at the clouds.

He knew this wasn't just about preparing them for ranks.

It was about preparing them for what was coming.